RAMAYA SOSKIN
An eclectic musician, in search of something much greater than himself, Ramaya Soskin has been writing and performing music since 1990. Starting first at Naropa University, he formed a trio named Specter X. While maturing as a songwriter he practiced his craft and soon started the band SLOWROSA with local songstress Cate Coslor, Tres Altman, Chris Mustaine and Jeb Bows. The band performed with acts such as Devotchka, The Fray, and The Czars at Boulder's "Fox" and "Boulder Theatre". The bands' representation; Brian Schwartz (Dinosaur Jr., Paper Bird, Rose Hill Drive) was a great support, but the act was unable to continue in it's present form. Visit myspace.com/SLOWROSA for more info. Ramaya's next project was entitled "A. Ballad Nightly" and included players Jack Leahy, Jeb Bows and Jess DeNicola-Mefford. After a wonderful year in Boulder with this outfit Ramaya moved east to New Hope P.A. and settled into a comfortable obscurity, until returning in 2009 to begin again. All in all, Ramaya and the bands he has been a part of have shared evenings with: Brandi Carlisle, The Fray, Devotchka, The Czars, Bela Karoli, Chris Pureka, Strangers Die Everyday, Max Davies and Tongue Noir, Dechen Hawk, Gregory Alan Isakov & The Frieght, Clay Rose, The Paper Stars, Punkalele, The Hot IQ's, Matson Jones, Libby Kirkpatrick, Bright Channel, Buck 65, County Road X, Shanti Groove, Porlolo, New Dialectic, Ian Cooke, and many other wonderful artists. After many incarnations without the release of a proper recording, Ramaya finally released a debut CD of new material in November of 2007. Both haunting and revealing, this album is a collection of delicate lullabyes, saucy rockers, and sultry ballads. Written and recorded in his shoebox of a home, it will surely make it's mark in many hearts. The new album: "All In Good Time", is available for purchase at cdbaby.com and can also be found as a download from the iTunes music store. As of late 2009 Ramaya has joined up with fellow Boulder songwriter (and longtime hombre) Gregory Alan Isakov. They have been touring as a duo (where Ramaya both accompanies Greg and performs solo) for over two years now. Tour schedules have taken them all over the US (several times), Cayamo Cruise shows, Canada, Italy, Germany (w/ Nathaniel Rateliff), UK, and Holland (w/ Devotchka). As a full 6 piece band here in Boulder they recently sold out the Fox Theater, and then Shug's the following night. Locally Ramaya can be seen playing music around town, such as the 3rd Friday of every month at the Laughing Goat in Boulder....
DECHEN HAWK
Rocked to sleep as a child to Stevie Wonder, Dechen Hawk's music ranges from beautiful ballads to serious backbeat funk. For the past 17 years he has performed locally and nationally and shared billing with such legends as Bruce Hornsby, Leon Russell, R.E.M., Ty Burhoe, Ron Miles, and the Fun Lovin' Criminals. A 2009 graduate of Naropa University, he studied with Bill Douglas, Art Lande, and Janet Feder. Music credits for television/film/radio include the Swedish documentary "No Artificial Anything", reality TV's "What's Your Problem", the indie film "Don Juan's Diary", and KGNU radio's "Jazz & Beyond". Dechen was a finalist at the 2003 NCSC Songwriter's Competition and his newly formed neo-soul/pop-noir project 'Dechen Hawk & A Murder of Prose' highlights the songwriter's talents. Dechen Hawk also has residency, hosting the illustrious monday night open mic at Johnny's Cigar Bar. And he's the booking manager for the renowned Laughing Goat Artisan Coffee Shop, Bar & Venue.
WADIRUM
Wadi Rum is a region in Jordan where the band's songwriter, Stewart Erlich, found the depth of his own heart. The music of the band, WadiRum, is much like the region: raw, powerful, silent and loud in turns, and ultimately healing.
WadiRum's songs build to crescendo, with lush harmony, dark, warm bass and cello, and drums that move from subtle to explosive. Each song is different,but the message is the same - the revelation of the human heart.
As a band, we try to make great music onstage and in the studio... we write our songs together, and bring our diverse backgrounds into the musical melting pot. Our strengths include using full-range dynamics, and creating songs with evocative lyrics.